Mary Elizabeth Nelson, 98, of Redfield, SD, passed away peacefully on Friday, February 24, 2017 at the Redfield Care and Rehabilitation Center in Redfield. Her funeral service will be Wednesday, March 1, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Redfield. Reverend Marty Toepke-Floyd will officiate. Burial will follow in Ashton Cemetery.

Visitation will be Tuesday, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., at Thelen-Hyke Funeral Home in Redfield. Family will be present to accept condolences beginning at 6:00 p.m. Thelen-Hyke Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements. (www.thelen-hykefuneralhome.com)

Mary Elizabeth Thiel was born March 26, 1918 in a farm home near Ashton, SD to Charles and Louisa (Larson) Thiel. She attended rural school and graduated as Salutatorian from Ashton High School in 1935. Mary married Lyle "Bill" Nelson on July 24, 1936 in Redfield. Mary spent her entire life living and working in the Ashton area. She worked at various jobs for Spink County for over 28 years and retired in 1988.

Mary was a member of the Ashton Methodist Church and later transferred to the Redfield United Methodist Church due to the closure of the Ashton Church. She enjoyed growing roses and took pride in her rose garden. Knitting and crocheting were hobbies she had for many years and even at the time of her death, she was working on a baby afghan.

After suffering a stroke in 2012, Mary moved to Lakeside Assisted Living in Redfield and finally to the Redfield Care and Rehabilitation Center in 2015.

Mary is survived by her daughter, Sandra (Gene) Zoodsma of Ashton; her son, Donald (Rosalie) Nelson of Waterloo, IA; four grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, two brothers, one sister and two grandchildren.

Beginning at 6:00 p.m., the family will be present to accept condolences.

Tuesday, February 28, 2017
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Thelen-Hyke Funeral Home
101 East 7th Ave
Redfield, South Dakota 57469

Beginning at 6:00 p.m., the family will be present to accept condolences.

Wednesday, March 01, 2017
10:30 AM

Redfield United Methodist Church
1326 W 1st Street
Redfield, SD 57469

Wednesday, March 01, 2017
12:30 PM

Ashton Cemetery
165 Street & 386 Ave
Redfield, SD 57469